"In the first place if anyone from the school board should come, maybe he could see all the things we need - current books for all of our subjects, not just somebody's old throwaways, desks, paper, blackboards, erasers, maps, chalk. . ." Mama's voice trailed off as she glued the second book. Chapter 1, 30.

"We were not very fond of the skins, for once they were wet they emitted a musty odor which seeped into our clothing and clung to our skins. We preferred to do without them; unfortunately, Mama cared very little about what we preferred." Chapter 3, p. 43.

It was as if the bus were a living thing, plaguing and defeating us at every turn. We could not outwit it. Chapter 3, p.46.